Folk festival kicks off with a parade today

August 26, 2011 11:51 am

BANGOR, Maine — The American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, with a parade that leads to the Railroad Stage, where The Stooges Brass Band kicks off three days of music, dance, food and crafts.

This is the 10th year of the folk festival, which began as the National Folk Festival in 2001.

Sgt. Paul Edwards of Bangor Police Department offers advice to festival-goers about parking and site access as follows:

“On street parking is legal unless posted otherwise around the area of the venue and on side streets. Bass Park offers parking with shuttle service to the festival for a fee and also provides parking and rides for those who are disabled. Bass Park is the best option for those of you with disabilities as there will be a prepared staff to accommodate your needs and finding parking in the downtown area will be difficult. If you park at Bass Park, please be mindful of construction for the new arena as the sidewalk is closed temporarily. We expect heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic congestion on the lower Main, Dutton and Buck streets Friday night and Saturday, so please be extra careful when in that area. The parking garage will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday to accommodate parking needs, but the city BAT bus service will relocate from Pickering Square to State Street near Bangor Savings Bank on Friday and Saturday. Once in the venue, if you need assistance or have questions, ask any festival volunteer who will be wearing a dark green shirt, a police officer, a firefighter, or other public official. Check out the area map of the festival to locate the first aid tent, the public safety station, and the family reunion tent if you lose an adult from your group. Any children lost should be reported to police immediately.”

Police, fire and folk festival officials were expected to meet at noon to discuss how Hurricane Irene might affect activities on Sunday. More information and festival coverage will be posted on bangordailynews.com later today.